Crystal Viper - Defenders Of The Magic Circle
Crystal Viper are one of those bands that when you hear them live... you really wonder if you are hearing them live. Compared to their studio work, they sound almost exactly the same. The vocalist has a bit more 'interaction,' but with a lack of audience presence, it feels empty and hollow for a live album. Musically though, the production is great. Tracks like "Legions Of Truth" and "Shadows On The Horizon" are flawless in how they sound like the original tracks, but at the same time it really makes fans wonder if there was any point to making this a 'live album.' If a band sounds just like they do in the studio, and the producer doesn't even bother to include the crowd's interactions clearly to really give off a live presence, then why bother?
There is some studio work on this album, though, aside from the lives tracks. "Secrets Of The Black Water" is one of the tracks from their upcoming studio album, Legends. Musically, this is not much different as opposed to all the other tracks that Crystal Viper perform live, but the sound is much more fitting, with a little bit clearer production. Other surprises include rare tracks such as "The Wolf And The Witch" and a cover of "Obsession" by Virgin Steele. For some reason, thankfully, the styling of the track is very different from Crystal Viper's other music. It is ethereal and mystic, and a hopeful direction. Eventually it breaks out into a the usual chugging heavy metal style that the band usually performs, but this hopeful introduction offers a glimmer of evolution.
Overall, for new fans, if they like they musical style of Iron Maiden or Halestorm, then they'll definitely enjoy this female fronted band. They aren't bad at all, just they don't really make a live album feel very exhilerating like it should be. Try their studio albums if you want to get a better feel for the band. If you want to hear a really great live album with dynamics and all, try Kamelot's 'One Cold Winter's Night' or Opeth's 'Roundhouse Tapes.' The audience dynamics are there and the band has a significantly different, more human sound that can't be compared to their studio work.
There is some studio work on this album, though, aside from the lives tracks. "Secrets Of The Black Water" is one of the tracks from their upcoming studio album, Legends. Musically, this is not much different as opposed to all the other tracks that Crystal Viper perform live, but the sound is much more fitting, with a little bit clearer production. Other surprises include rare tracks such as "The Wolf And The Witch" and a cover of "Obsession" by Virgin Steele. For some reason, thankfully, the styling of the track is very different from Crystal Viper's other music. It is ethereal and mystic, and a hopeful direction. Eventually it breaks out into a the usual chugging heavy metal style that the band usually performs, but this hopeful introduction offers a glimmer of evolution.
Overall, for new fans, if they like they musical style of Iron Maiden or Halestorm, then they'll definitely enjoy this female fronted band. They aren't bad at all, just they don't really make a live album feel very exhilerating like it should be. Try their studio albums if you want to get a better feel for the band. If you want to hear a really great live album with dynamics and all, try Kamelot's 'One Cold Winter's Night' or Opeth's 'Roundhouse Tapes.' The audience dynamics are there and the band has a significantly different, more human sound that can't be compared to their studio work.
- Breaking The Curse
- Metal Nation
- Legions Of Truth
- The Island Of The Silver Skull
- Shadows On The Horizon
- The Last Axeman
- Secret Of The Black Water
- The Wolf And The Witch
- Stronghold: Under Siege
- Obsession (cover Virgin Steele)
AFM Records
Reviewer: Colin McNamara
Oct 13, 2010
Oct 13, 2010
Next review:
Blasphemy Rites - Hideous Lord
Share this:
